1
Charles Onyekamuo
Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 8, off- cycle governorship elections in Anambra State, has again reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to improving the quality of lives of Ndi Anambra and securing a brighter for them through good governance inspired by purposeful leadership.
He said that his motivation to govern Anambra state was not bedded in selfishness but in a sincere passion to lift people from poverty to prosperity and make their lives better and worth living.
He spoke on Saturday during the Grand Finale of the 2025 Triennial Convention of the Catholic Women Organization (CWO), Awka Diocese ,held at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.
The event which drew large crowds of Catholic faithfuls and dignitaries from across the state, also featured a thanksgiving Mass celebrating both the CWO Triennial Convention and the 10th anniversary of St. Patrick’s College, Awka, owned by the diocese.
The mass was officiated by His Lordship, Most Rev.Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese.
Prince Ukachukwu while addressing the congregation went memory lane to recount his humble beginnings, struggles, and how God in His infinite mercies uplift him from poverty to what he is today.
He said his desire remained to use the leadership he envisaged them to entrust on his shoulders through their collective mandates as a vehicle for positive transformation.
“I and my siblings grew up in poverty, but today. I can’t say that God has not been merciful to us.
” Honestly, if I say that. I would be making God a liar and we all know that He can’t lie.
” At least, I stand before you today as a living testimony of God’s grace and to say that God is alive, hears prayers, and is faithful.
“The office of Governor of Anambra state I’m vying for today is a platform to make a difference, one that will project Anambra State to greater heights”, he said.
He said that his personal experience in life has fueled a deep sense of a “we feeling” in him to see the responsibility to empower others as sacrosanct having come to realize that life and successes are not just about what one had acquired but how they impacted others positively.
” I know what it means to struggle, and I understand what it takes to succeed. My vision is to help others make that same journey. Leadership, for me, is not about position but about purpose, about transforming lives and building a prosperous society,” he added.
Prince Ukachukwu further outlined his development agenda for the state, revealing that one of his key projects would be the establishment of a power plant in Ayamelum Local Government Area to generate electricity that could serve the domestic and industrial needs of Anambra and other neighbouring states.
“This is one of several major projects my administration will embark upon and for these dreams to become reality, I need your prayers and support because together, we can make Anambra , a land of dignity, productivity, and pride and not a state held down by insecurity and wholesale underdevelopment “, he further said.
In his characteristic spirit of generosity, Prince Ukachukwu supported the Catholic Women Organization with a donation of ₦3 million, a gesture that drew loud applause from attendees and was warmly acknowledged by church leaders.
In his remarks, Rev. Fr. Jonas Unegbu, Chaplain of the Awka Diocese, expressed gratitude to Prince Ukachukwu for honouring their invitation and for his enduring commitment to community upliftment. “Ndi Anambra have always desired a better Anambra, and those who want a better state must continue to strive for something greater.
“We appreciate all you have done and continue to pray that everything will work according to God’s plan”, he said.
In the same vein, Rev. Fr. Peter Val Uzozie, Deanery Chaplain of Enugu-Ukwu, offered prayers for divine guidance and wisdom for Prince Ukachukwu in his efforts to build a better Anambra State.
“May God endow you with the grace and understanding needed to lead with vision and compassion,” he prayed.
Earlier at the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church cathedral at Okwuani, Nnewi, where he had gone to honour an invitation by the Catholic Woman Organization ( CWO) in Nnewi Diocese, Ukachukwu once again reiterated the need to collectively work for the future of Anambra people and those yet unborn.
He told the women group from the parishes of the four council areas in the diocese that he was poised to fix Anambra to fit into their dream state they would be proud of, adding that it was time to change the narrative for the better.
” Honestly, I thank God for making me take the Nnobi – Nnewichi road to this place .
“As we were coming, I saw how terrible It is . I understand that every road in this industrial town we proudly call the “Japan of Africa” is like the one we took to this place – very impassable.
” That is what we are talking about , bad governance, and It is on everybody’s lips and we live it daily.
” One message I have for you today is that this road I passed to this place together with others in this industrial city and beyond would be given priority attention and tarred within my first three months in office if you gave me your mandate to govern the state on November 8.
” It is not about party. My party is APC . I tell you now that party is only a vehicle to our destination. It is the individual that you vote for not party.
“The objective remains good governance which I have vowed to provide to Anambra people.
“”I need your support and partnership to make Anambra work again”, he said.
He outlined his development plans for Anambra which included industrialization, provision of a power generating plant at Ayamelum council area to utilize the large deposits of natural gas there for domestic and industrial energy which will inturn spark industrial revolution in the state.
The springing up of industries he said would they utilize the abundant skilled labour in state and out of school graduates would be employed to earn a decent living and contribute their quota to the development of the state.
Besides, he said they had plans for an Agric revolution with its own value chain which will pull people out of poverty and make them self sufficient and even employers of labour.
All these he said would become a pipe dream if security is not restored in the state and vowed to make the security of lives and property of of Anambra citizens and residents top priority because that is the primary objective of any responsible government.
When security is restored, industrialized he emphasized would have the confidence to resuscitate moribund industries while investors and businesses would be attracted back to the state.
He further said that his administration if elected would look into the multiple taxation imposed on the people and review them fairly because they have crippled a lot of businesses especially those on a small scale.
